The new population data released by the ABS yesterday (see the Queensland Treasury brief) show interstate migration – a major source of growth in the 1990s and early 2000s – continues to make only a small contribution to Queensland’s population growth, and the leakage to Victoria continues (see chart below of quarterly net interstate migration from Victoria to Queensland).

An interesting post. I wonder what the makeup of the net migration patters are? I remember looking at some data a few years ago showing much of Queensland’s net migration population growth was retirees and blue collar workers, while Queensland was losing professionals. I wonder what is happening now that the establishment phase of the mining and energy projects is largely over.

Thanks for the comment Jim. I think the only way we can find out is to look at census data. I’ll try to get around to looking at it sometime. I expect the migration of young professionals to Sydney and Melbourne is significant given much better employment opportunities down there.